U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas
1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DALLAS, TEXAS
CONTACT: 214/659-8600
www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn

OCTOBER 26, 2006

SERIAL BANK ROBBER ADMITS TO EIGHT BANK ROBBERIES

Defendant Dubbed the “Envelope Bandit” Robs One Bank Twice in Four Months

Mark Anthony Ortiz pled guilty today in federal court before the Honorable Jane J. Boyle, United States District Judge, to robbing numerous banks in the Dallas area, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. Ortiz pled guilty to bank robbery and faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Boyle on February 1, 2007.

Ortiz, age 39, of Dallas, committed the following bank robberies:

• July 21, 2006 Washington Mutual Bank

4334 Saturn Road, Garland, Texas

• March 3, 2006 Wood Forest Bank

1501 E. Buckingham, Richardson Texas

• March 29, 2006 Washington Mutual Bank

4334 Saturn Road, Garland, Texas

• April 17, 2006 Guaranty Bank

14885 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas

• May 13, 2006 Washington Mutual Bank

1225 E. Beltline Road, Richardson, Texas

• June 5, 2006 Comerica Bank

10601 Forest Lane, Dallas, Texas

• June 20, 2006 Compass Bank

3939 St. Frances Road, Dallas, Texas

• July 5, 2006 Guaranty Bank

1407 E. Beltline Road, Richardson, Texas

Generally, Ortiz would enter the bank, proceed to a teller and hand him/her a note demanding money. On at least one occasion, Ortiz’s note indicated that he had a gun and on at least one occasion Ortiz had one of his hands concealed within his jacket as though he was holding a gun. The Federal Bureau of Investigation dubbed Ortiz the “Envelope Bandit” because he wrote his demand notes on envelopes.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dallas, Richardson and Garland, Texas Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Calvert.